Enhancement of Equilibrium Shift in Dehydrogenation Reactions Using a Novel Membrane Reactor Semi-Annual Report: September 1999-February 2000

Ilias, Shamsuddin ; King, Franklin G.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

关键词: Diffusion;    Flow Rate;    Cyclohexane;    08 Hydrogen;    Benzene;   

DOI  :  10.2172/897412
RP-ID  :  None
RP-ID  :  FG22-96PC96222
RP-ID  :  897412

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

In our previous report we reported technical difficulties encountered in the fabrication of tubular membrane reactor using our Pd-ceramic composite membranes. Although the membrane is highly selective to hydrogen but in test runs we observed leakage of hydrogen from the end-seals and metallic fittings. This was a serious problem. An attempt to improve the seal by tightening was not helpful but resulted in cracks and breakage of the ceramic tube. To test the equilibrium conversion and equilibrium shift effect on dehydrogenation of cyclohexane to benzene and hydrogen in membrane reactor, we used Pd-ceramic discs in our diffusion cell as reactor packed with Pt-catalyst pellets. Test results show that by manipulating the feed (cyclohexane) flow rate and sweep gas flow rate (permeate side) we can have over 55% conversion as opposed to 18.7% equilibrium conversion under identical conditions. This demonstrates the usefulness of the new membrane in H{sub 2} separation and also in membrane-reactor configurations for equilibrium limited decomposition and dehydrogenation reactions.